Too often, I find myself falling to the temptation to despise or judge others, no matter how many times I commit to stopping. It shouldn’t be a great surprise to any of us who are people of faith, because Jesus warns us that we are susceptible to self-righteousness and judgment of others. How many times have we heard that whoever exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted? Why don’t we take that wisdom teaching from Jesus seriously?

There are some spiritual practices that might help us to become less judgemental and self-righteous, but they are some of the hardest spiritual practices to make a part of our regular lives. To be able to see others as Jesus sees them and to love others as Jesus loves them is difficult. We so often divide people by their religious beliefs, countries of origin, languages they speak, color of their skin, sexual orientation and many other hidden or obvious traits. It’s almost as if we can’t help ourselves but to divide one group of people against another. We know that all things evil come from division, and yet we continue to practice the art of division. Do you feel some inner uncomfortability as you read these words? As you contemplate the members of your worshiping community, who is welcome there? Are all sinners welcome or just those who are sinful only up to a certain level?

Another spiritual practice that helps us to become less judgemental and divisive is a daily examination of our conscience. The historical roots of the examination of conscience seem to have been lost by our use of it today. The examination of conscience is not meant to end in shame and guilt. It’s meant to help us celebrate and give thanks for the incredible mercy with which God treats us. We acknowledge our own personal sins and the ways that we participate in the universal sins of the world, and we present those to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and experience His mercy as we acknowledge our guilt. How gracious God is to us, no matter the kind or quantity of sins that we present. If only we could be that gracious toward the sins of others.

It is almost impossible to develop compassion for those who seem different if we stay isolated and insulated in our own group of like-minded people. How can we ever experience the goodness of others if we simply hang around those just like us — people who affirm us and how we act. We get pats on the back and congratulatory words with little examination. Scripture reminds us that even people who don’t believe in God do that easily. We are called to love and serve those who have nothing to return to us and who are enemies. How can we begin to practice that if we hang together with only our friends?

To develop our minds and hearts to a point where we love as Jesus does, we need to begin to build the practices that make the heart of Christ what it is. Have you ever noticed that Jesus gives respect, understanding and acceptance to each person He encounters? He doesn’t always agree with them or approve of what they’re doing, but he attempts to understand. The most outstanding and enduring choice of Jesus is that He died for everyone, without exception. Imagine how our world, families, churches, neighborhoods and relationships would change if those we encounter knew that we would die for them.

Let us open ourselves to the truth that sets us free. As we experience that deeper freedom, let us love in such a way as to offer the gateway of freedom to those we encounter.

Father Donald Wester is pastor of All Saints Parish in St. Peters.